, 1887-01-19
PEACE OR WAR;
from the HDeCtGtOr),

the more seriously does he expect a Euro
Q a war in the spring. We cannot, of
course, bring fOrw ard precise evidence Of
this statement, though we thoroughly be-
lieye it; but we would ask our readers to
look at the patent facts around them.
There is no popular panic anywhere, yet
out OF seven great Governments i'll Europe,
. Governments likely to be thoroughly in.
formed not only as to public events, but
as to the secret history of the Continent
much of which always remains unknown
for years-six are arming as it they dread
ed immediate and enormous danger. The
French Minister of War has made the
completion of further and excessive arma.
mentS the condition of his continuance in
Office. The German Minister OF War, III
spite of the direct pledge given to- the con.
trary when the first Septennate was con-
ceded by Parliament, has demanded it's
renewal, and has antedated it in order to
secure Al 600 more men at once. He has,
moreover, done this while admitting that
Germany can hardly bear the weight of
her ornaments, and has defended his
course by secret statements to the Com
mittee charged with The Bill, the mere
Iumour of which sent down all the BourseS
of Europe. The Austrian Government,
always timid about finance, and with def
cts already to meet, has asked for and
obtained three millions for rapid prepara-
tiOnS, chiefly in improved rifles. The Rus
sian Government arm steadily, is super
ViSing its usually weak point, the Commits
Sariat, with rigid eXactneSS, and slowly
urges the masses of cavalry with which it
will operations towards it's South
Western frontier. The Government of
Italy, always careful of money, declares
that it is ready even now, the Minister OF
War affirming, with calculated lIdlScre-
AS-.- %l,%n ,4n, NI, nuv n.R rn
ments necessary for modification have been
finally completed.n The Government of
Turkey, great because of its supply of de-
voted men, has collected 100, OOO soldiers
in Macedonia alone, is stripping Asia Mi
nor and Syria Of their Mahomedan youth
to swell its ranks, is enlisting the whole
MuSSnlman manhood Of its European
provinces, and finds, God knows how,
millions for material Of var. And finally
if the Times OF Thursday may be trusted,
the head of the Government Ut Great Brl-
tain, where war Will be unpopular, and
where economy is acutely desired, has
allowed his aOleSt lieutenant to resign,
rather than not propose the Estimates
necessary to place the fighting services III
a position of readiness for all contingencies.
The Governments, i'll short, OF all Europe
are armlng aclthOut any pressure from their
peoples. 1t may be said that they are
always doing so, that they love
and that they take advantage OF favoura-
bic circumstances to crafty an instructive
desire; but is not that argument, III
part at all events, Il result of preiudlceF
Kings like soldiers; but they like prOspe-
rity too, and there is grave reason to be-
lieve that many OF the Governments stand
aghasL at the preparations which never
%tnelesS they Simply dare not avoid. Their
dislike of he calls OH them is, III tacl' so
great as to constitute one danger OF the
situation; fos they are halt-incllned to
tempt fortune 10y mObiliSing, rather than
face continuously the dangers which they
toreSee from the continuous discontent OF
entire peoples. A loan to meet the deficit,
of Il year frightens nobody but france
has been arming strenuously for sixteen
years OH end.
This is the most serious of the symptoms.
disquieting this Christmas Eve, but 1t is,
not the only one. Does any one remember
ii situation in which there were three sepa-
rate tendencies in Europe leading towards
war, three visible causes, that is, each OF
winch might suddenly SKATER the existing
armed truce War would come, as every
body admits, if the Car wished it; and
has he any solid reason for not wishing 1t Z
We should say exactly the contrary. IN
a most dangerous hour for his dynasty, lie
stands a beaten man, fOiled IN a strenuous